“A“A TESTTEST OFOF VIKINGVIKING VIRTUE”VIRTUE”

A Cushion Encounter by Michelle A. Brown Nephew

The heroes trudge along through the dark corri- dors of the Underground. They are young and untried Viking warriors in search of the silver that will make the skalds sing their praises so loudly that even those brave warriors in Valhalla might hear of their valorous deeds. The tales remembered by the village elders tell of strange creatures and glorious treasure in these twisting subterranean tunnels, and so the heroes contin- ue on their way through the gloom …

The following is a sample encounter for the new Rune RPG from Atlas Games, which is based on the computer game by Human Head Studios. In Rune, players each construct an encounter using Rune’s point system of encounter creation. The designer spends points for features like traps that might injure the heroes, but earns points for beneficial elements such as treasure and healing opportunities. It’s a lot like character genera- tion, in that designers get the chance

THE GAME OF VIKING MAYHEM BY ROBIN D. LAWS Hardcover • 256 Pages • $27.95 AG3600 • ISBN 1-887801-91-X WWW.ATLAS-GAMES.COM

©2001 Trident, Inc. • Illustrations ©2000 Human Head Studios. Used with permission. to min/max their creations, but others Narration: Closer Inspection: actually appreciate it when a designer As your horde of Viking warriors Heroes who succeed at their shares a well constructed encounter with makes its way down yet another tunnel in Runes roll learn that the first of the them. the Underground, you all notice the walls three insciptions is the symbol meaning The players then each take a turn as the have slowly changed from the rough “Tyr, God of Justice,” the second is “runner” who GMs his own encounter; stone of a natural rock passage to a “Thor, God of Combat,” the third gives the encounters each lead from one to the smooth, unblemished stone the color of the name “Odin, God of Wisdom,” The next smoothly because they’re usually set the finest ivory sword pommel. Soon you longer inscription on the pedestal reads: in a subterranean network of caverns see a radiant light coming from up ahead, “A Test of Viking Virtue.” called the Underground, which provides a and at last you enter a chamber made of shortcut between the human realm of the same unnaturally pale rock. The room Points Earned: -8 (Freestanding Difficulty 8) Midgaard and the mythical lands of the is perfectly circular, with a 15-pace-high gods and other races. In advanced ses- domed ceiling and a diameter of about 15 sions, one person is designated the “plot- paces, as well (note that a pace is about 30 Narration: ter” and is responsible for creating “plot inches, or 3/4 meter). In the center of the The hero nearest the Tyr insciption encounters” to give the more general space stands a pedestal about four paces on the wall now notices that it has begun “cushion encounters” that the other play- tall, and hovering another six paces above to glow with the same golden cast as is ers bring a more solid storyline. it is a ball of glowing golden brilliance, protecting the treasure. The glow intensi- which lights the entire room. It’s obvious fies as he comes nearer. When he reaches The encounter below may look a bit odd that within the luminous globe is a mag- up and places his hand on the rune at first; since it’s not part a set of plot nificent treasure of inestimable worth. marking, a large section of the curved encounters, it cuts straight to the combat One of your number tries to jump up and wall surrounding the rune dissolves to scenes instead of asking the players to grab the treasure, but finds that the hov- reveal a darkened chamber beyond. flesh out their motivations or otherwise ering ball of light is impenetrable … all he waste valuable game time that could be gains for his effort is a residual glow on better spent killing things and taking his hand that slowly fades away after a few Note: The three events must be encoun- their stuff. It also has notations about minutes. tered in the order given on the pedestal. specific kinds of rolls — like Standard, The doors will only open if the pillagers Weak Link, Freestanding, and Singular — activate the rune markings on the walls in that the designer of the encounter choos- CARROT — that order. es to fit the situation. This all needs to be AURA OF THE GODS written down because the heroes gain vic- tory points every time they succeed at a Standard roll; roll Divine Awareness vs. Event 1: roll that’s a part of the encounter notes, Difficulty 8, to gain +2 increase to Runes Trial By Justice but the runner earns victory points every Ability roll below, and to learn the following: time a hero fails a roll. After the encounter, players are entitled to see the Narration: runner’s notes to confirm they follow the Closer Inspection: When the “Tyr, God of Justice” rules. Once the session is over, everyone Heroes who make the Divine inscription is activated, a large portion of adds up their victory points to see who Awareness roll feel the hairs on their necks the curved pale wall around it vanishes wins, making Rune a competitive roleplay- rise and a chill in the air. They realize this to show a dark room on the other side. ing game. place is definitely touched by the gods. In the center of the chamber is a rune- stone about the size of a warrior’s fist, hovering five paces above the ground Points Spent: 20 (Difficulty 8) and surrounded by the same other- Points Earned: -10 (+2 increase x 5 x 1 worldly radiant glow. Its warm light is round) enough to illuminate the area immedi- ately surrounding it, but not much GAIN — more. This place has the same dimen- THE WRITING ON THE WALL sions as the antechamber.

Closer Inspection: As the heroes look around the GAIN — SHRINE TO TYR room, they see three runic inscriptions Freestanding roll, Singular: No Fault; carved into different spots, all at eye-level, roll Divine Awareness vs. Difficulty 6 to on the flawlessly smooth walls. They also notice the following: see identical inscriptions on the Encounter Title: A Test of Viking Virtue pedestal’s stone top, each in the curve of Closer Inspection: Type: Cushion Encounter a separate fist-sized indentation. A longer Those who succeed at their roll inscription also runs around the base of Hook: The Underground realize that this room is, indeed, a shrine the pedestal. Summary: Your horde finds a holy place to the god Tyr. Tyr is the god who pre- deep in the Underground where they must sides over public assemblies and legal undergo tests of their bravery, combat Freestanding roll, Singular: No Fault; matters. He looks well upon acts of spec- prowess, and skalding ability. A divine trea- roll Runes vs. Difficulty 8 to learn the tacular suffering, as when Vikings honor sure is their reward. following: his deeds by walking into traps. Points Earned: -0 (shrine to Tyr, over the Freestanding roll, Singular: No Fault; Background: “two shrines per encounter” limit); -10 roll Divine Awareness vs. Difficulty 6 to The runestone will only lose its (Freestanding Difficulty 6) notice the following: protective globe and allow the heroes to retrieve it if one of the heroes walks Narration: across the caustic oily substance of his Closer Inspection: Your heroes step into the chamber, own volition. Jumping across or other- Those who succeed at their roll and the wall reappears behind the last wise cheating does not sit well with the realize that this room is, indeed, a shrine warrior. As the heroes watch, a thick oil- God of Justice, Tyr. to the god Thor. Thor is the god of thun- like liquid seeps up from the floor in a der, a powerful deity who is upright in ring around the floating runestone. There Points Earned: -9 (Tyr’s runestone as petty character but fearsome to his enemies. is now a three-pace by six-pace “safe” spot silver) He looks well upon thick-skulled brav- on which the heroes stand against a blank ery, as when warriors refuse to retreat in wall, and a three-pace-diameter island in GAIN — VICTORY POINTS FOR the face of a superior foe. the center of the room that is free of the goop; the rest of the room is filled with TYR’S TEST COMPLETION the stuff to a depth of about one pace. It The heroes who ultimately crossed the Points Earned: -25 (shrine to Thor); -10 begins to seethe and bubble ominously as divine goop to retrieve the runestone (ie. (Freestanding Difficulty 6) the heroes realize that the way to reach either made all of their Endurance Test rolls the runestone and please the god Tyr is to or took the recurring damage to cross the walk through the toxic-looking substance. hazard) also get victory points for complet- Narration: ing this test. Split 20 victory points among Your heroes step into the chamber, them. and the wall reappears behind the last HAZARD — DIVINE GOOP warrior. At this point, a black-furred Points Earned: -20 (20 point victory point Wendol charges out from the darkness, Narration: award at 1 point each) slamming its massive bulk into the near- As a hero tries to walk across the 9- est Viking. It tries to knock him down pace-wide writhing mass of goop, it and pin him to the ground, so that it can sucks at his feet, making progress slow Narration: then tear out his throat. and painful. One of the Vikings in your horde retrieves the silver runestone of Tyr, and the wall behind you dissolves to allow CARROT — IT’S UNNATURAL! Singular: Endurance Test, Bravery roll entrance back into the antechamber (WEIRD MAGIC) (Stamina is the governing Characteristic) before closing up again. Another trial Difficulty 8; at least one character must last awaits you, and you leave this room Before entering combat, all heroes get a four rounds (this means he must roll four eager to face it … Freestanding roll, Singular: No Fault; successes in a row) to walk to the clear island roll Awareness vs. Difficulty 6 to notice in the center of the chamber with no damage the following: from the caustic goop. On a failure, his feet GAIN — HEALING OPPORTUNITY begin to burn as if immersed in acid and he suffers recurring, armor-ignoring damage After passing Tyr’s test, the heroes may exit Closer Inspection: of Dam rating 14 each round he continues to the antechamber and take time to heal This Wendol is not your garden to stand in the stuff. At this point, he can before the next event. There is no limit on variety wilderness beast. As a divine ser- keep trudging forward for the remainder of the time they spend there. vant of Thor, and so bound to protect the runestone of that god, it has been the four rounds, taking damage every round Points Earned: -30 (unlimited healing granted an aura of holy power. until he reaches the island, or he can avoid opportunity) the damage by leaping back to the open space near the wall, humiliated. The goop does not damage equipment, only Viking flesh. Event 2: Trial By Combat Background: Points Spent: 60 (Endurance Test = 20 This Wendol has been gifted with [Difficulty 8] x 3 extra rolls); 35 (Dam eternal youth so that it may hold it guard rating 14 x 2.5 for recurring); 10 (armor- GAIN — SHRINE TO THOR in this chamber until Vikings of worth ignoring damage). prove themselves in mortal combat Narration: against it. Note that it is NOT immortal; When the “Thor, God of Combat” GAIN — TYR’S RUNESTONE the Wendol does not age, but can be inscription is activated next, a large por- killed by Viking blades like any other ani- tion of the flawless alabaster wall around mal. Thor has also given the Wendol his Narration: it vanishes to show a dark room on the divine blessing, which grants the beast +3 Once this test of Viking honor has other side. In the center of the chamber to its Soak. been overcome by walking through the is another runestone about the size of a divine goop, the glow surrounding the warrior’s fist, hovering five paces above levitating runestone fades, and the stone the ground and surrounded by the same Points Earned: -10 (Freestanding Difficulty 6) otherworldly radiant glow. Its warm light slowly lowers to the floor. On inspec- Points Spent: 30 (Wendol’s Weird Magic) tion, you find it is actually a fist-sized is enough to illuminate the area imme- chunk of silver with the name of Tyr diately surrounding it, but not much inscribed on it in runes. It weighs more. This place has the same dimen- approximately 9 oz. sions as the antechamber. GAIN — RECITE THE EPIC POEM COMBAT OPPONENT — DIVINE WENDOL Singular: No-Fault; roll Skald Threat Predictable/ (Intelligence as governing Characteristic) Name Type Mix Move Category Adjust Self-willed vs. Difficulty 8 to identify the bird’s recita- Servant of Thor Wendol 0 15 Terrifying INIT -3, DAM +1 Predictable (+0) tion as follows:

Points Spent: 0 Closer Inspection: Some of those in your horde rec- ognize the raven’s soliloquy as being a GAIN — THOR’S RUNESTONE Points Earned: -20 (shrine to Odin); -10 fragment from the epic poem Beowulf. (Freestanding Difficulty 6) Narration: The poem recounts the plight of King Once this test of Viking combat Hrothgar of Denmark, who built an Narration: prowess has been overcome and the enormous mead hall only to be plagued Your heroes step into the chamber, Wendol is really truly dead, the glow sur- by a monstrous ogre named Grendel who and the wall solidifies behind the last rounding the levitating runestone fades returned again and again to slaughter the warrior. In the center of the room, and the stone slowly descends to the king’s jarls and devour their flesh. Finally, underneath the floating runestone, is a floor. On inspection, you find it is actu- the invincible Beowulf was sent by the golden perch upon which sits a large ally a fist-sized chunk of silver with the Geatish king Hygelac to kill Grendel. raven. The bird squawks and flaps its name of Thor inscribed on it in runes. It Beowulf feasted with his hosts in the wings at the heroes , then goes on to weighs approximately 9 oz. mead hall, and when Grendel broke into recite the following in a hoarse voice: the hall Beowulf caught the ogre’s right hand and twisted until its arm snapped Points Earned: -9 (Thor’s runestone as “Nolde eorla hleo ænige †inga off. With Grendel dead, this trophy was petty silver) †one cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan, nailed to the rafters of the hall until Narration: ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum/ Grendel’s fiendish mother stole it and One of the Vikings in your horde fled into the nearby tarn. Beowulf swam retrieves the silver runestone of Thor, nytte tealde.” down through the dark waters of the inlet and the wall behind you dissolves to to the ogress’ lair, where he killed her allow entrance back into the antecham- with the fabled sword of the giants that ber before closing up again. Another GAIN — Beowulf found in her treasure hoard. For trial awaits you, and you leave this room RECOGNIZE THE DIVINE RAVEN his bravery, Beowulf eventually became eager to face it … king of the Geats, and died at an old age Freestanding roll, Singular: No Fault; in the act of killing a great wyrm that was roll Divine Awareness vs. Difficulty 6 to terrorizing his people. Beowulf is the Event 3: recall the following: most ancient and inspiring example of Trial By Wisdom your people’s long poetic tradition. Closer Inspection: Devout Vikings know that on Narration: Then also make a Simultaneous Singular: Odin’s shoulders perch two ravens, When a hero places his hand on No-Fault roll; Skald (Presence as govern- Hugin and Munin (thought and memo- the inscription for “Odin, God of ing Characteristic) vs. Difficulty 10 to cor- ry), that fly throughout the world and Wisdom,” a large section of the pristine rectly recite the remainder of the passage report everything to him each night. ivory wall surrounding the mark dissolves from Beowulf back to the divine raven. This bird is no doubt a divine messenger to reveal a darkened chamber beyond. In Each Viking is only allowed one chance to of Odin, if not actually one of Odin’s the center of the chamber is a runestone pass this test of Viking wisdom and tradi- companions. about the size of a warrior’s fist, hovering tion. But, since these rolls are both No- five paces above the ground and sur- Fault, everyone can try and the heroes need rounded by the same otherworldly radi- Points Earned: -10 (Freestanding Difficulty 6) only one of their number to succeed at ant glow. Its warm light is enough to illu- both rolls to pass the test. minate the area immediately surrounding it, but not much more. This place has the same dimensions as the antechamber.

GAIN — SHRINE TO ODIN

Freestanding roll, Singular: No Fault; roll Divine Awareness vs. Difficulty 6 to notice the following:

Closer Inspection: Those who make their roll realize that this room is, indeed, a shrine to the god Odin. Odin is chief of the gods and master of wisdom, magic, and poetry. He looks well upon those who value knowl- edge and display wisdom in their actions. Points Spent: 20 (Difficulty 8); 40 (Difficulty 10); 15 (simultaneous roll) THE EPIC OF BEOWULF

Note: In the tradition of Viking oral poet- “NOT in any wise would the earls’-defence ry, the first pillager to make both rolls “Nolde eorla hleo ænige †inga should read out loud the FULL passage †one cwealmcuman cwicne forlætan, suffer that slaughterous stranger to live, given to the right for the amusement of his ne his lifdagas leoda ænigum/ useless deeming his days and years fellows. (He can choose to read the more to men on earth. Now many an earl modern translation to the right rather than nytte tealde. ˇær genehost brægd the original Old English if his pronuncia- eorl Beowulfes ealde lafe, of Beowulf brandished blade ancestral tion happens to be rusty.) wolde freadrihtnes feorh ealgian, fain the life of their lord to shield, their praised prince, if power were theirs; GAIN — ODIN’S RUNESTONE mæres †eodnes, dær hie meahton swa. Hie †æt ne wiston, †a hie gewin drugon, never they knew, — as they neared the foe, hardy-hearted heroes of war, Narration: heardhicgende hildemecgas, Once Odin’s test has been over- ond on healfa gehwone heawan †ohton, aiming their swords on every side come through the correct (and lengthy) sawle secan, †one synscadan the accursed to kill, — no keenest blade, completion of the passage from Beowulf, the glow surrounding the levitating ænig ofer eor†an irenna cyst, no farest of falchions fashioned on earth, runestone fades, and the stone slowly gud billa nan, gretan nolde, could harm or hurt that hideous fiend! drops to the floor. On inspection, you ac he sigewæpnum forsworen hæfde, He was safe, by his spells, from sword of battle, find it is actually a fist-sized chunk of sil- ver with the name of Odin inscribed on ecga gehwylcre. Scolde his aldorgedal from edge of iron. Yet his end and parting it in runes. It weighs approximately 9 oz. on ∂æm dæge †ysses lifes on that same day of this our life earmlic wur∂an, ond se ellorgast woful should be, and his wandering soul Points Earned: -9 (Odin’s runestone as far off flit to the fiends’ domain. petty silver) on feonda geweald feor si∂ian. Îa †æt onfunde se †e fela æror Soon he found, who in former days, GAIN — VICTORY POINTS FOR modes myr∂e manna cynne, harmful in heart and hated of God, ODIN’S TEST COMPLETION fyrene gefremede he wæs/ fag wi∂ god, on many a man such murder wrought, The heroes who ultimately recited the sec- †æt him se lichoma læstan nolde/, that the frame of his body failed him now. tion from Beowulf correctly (ie. made both ac hine se modega mæg Hygelaces For him the keen-souled kinsman of Hygelac skald rolls and were brave enough to recite the passage in front of the other pillagers) hæfde be honda; wæs gehwæ†er o∂rum held in hand; hateful alive also get victory points for completing this lifigende la∂. Licsar gebad was each to other. The outlaw dire test. Split 20 victory points between them. atol æglæca; him on eaxle wear∂ took mortal hurt; a mighty wound Points Earned: -20 (20 point victory point syndolh sweotol, seonowe onsprungon, showed on his shoulder, and sinews cracked, award at 1 point each) burston banlocan. Beowulfe wear∂ and the bone-frame burst. To Beowulf now gu∂hre∂ gyfe†e; scolde Grendel †onan the glory was given, and Grendel thence Narration: One of the Vikings in your horde feorhseoc fleon under fenhleo∂u, death-sick his den in the dark moor sought, retrieves the silver runestone of Odin, secean wynleas wic; wiste †e geornor noisome abode: he knew too well and the wall behind you disappears to †æt his aldres wæs ende gegongen, that here was the last of life, an end allow entrance back into the antecham- ber before closing up again. Your trials dogera dægrim. Denum eallum wear∂ of his days on earth. — To all the Danes may be finished, but you have yet to æfter †am wælræse willa gelumpen. by that bloody battle the boon had come. solve the last puzzle of the gods … Hæfde †a gefælsod se †e ær feorran com, From ravage had rescued the roving stranger snotor ond swy∂ferh∂, sele Hro∂gares, Hrothgar’s hall; the hardy and wise one Event 4: Meeting the Challenge genered wi∂ ni∂e; nihtweorce gefeh, had purged it anew. His night-work pleased him, of the Gods ellenmær†um/. Hæfde Eastdenum his deed and its honor. To Eastern Danes Geatmecga leod gilp gelæsted, had the valiant Geat his vaunt made good, swylce oncy†∂e ealle gebette, all their sorrow and ills assuaged, Narration: When you have completed all inwidsorge, †e hie ær drugon their bale of battle borne so long, three tests of Viking virtue, your horde ond for †reanydum †olian scoldon, and all the dole they erst endured reassembles around the central pedestal torn unlytel. ˇæt wæs tacen sweotol, pain a-plenty. — ‘Twas proof of this, in the antechamber, divine silver rune- stones in hand. Now you must discover sy†∂an hildedeor hond alegde, when the hardy-in-fight a hand laid down, the trick to freeing the treasure of the earm ond eaxle †ær wæs eal geador arm and shoulder, — all, indeed, gods from its protective globe. Grendles grape under geapne hrof/.” of Grendel’s gripe, — ‘neath the gabled roof.” GAIN/HAZARD — DIVINE TREASURE (CATEGORY F) VS. LOSS OF STATUS

Lady or Tiger? Countdown roll, Divine Awareness of Difficulty 8, to place the runes properly in their complementary sockets on the pedestal. A total of three successes for the horde means the trea- sure is yours, but each hero only gets three chances! (This encounter assumes six heroes for designing this roll.) If the horde fails to get the three successes, they suffer a loss of status of 20 victory points. There is also an “In Defiance of the Gods” aspect to this roll. Every hero must apply his Divine Connection rating for Loki to his own Difficulty of this Countdown roll. Loki is, after all, the ulti- mate opposition to true Viking virtue! Success: If the pillagers succeed in get- ting three successes, they retrieve the divine treasure as described below: Failure: Should the pillagers fail to get Points Spent: 20 (Countdown roll; 6 Closer Inspection: three successes, they suffer a loss of status heroes divided by 2 = 20, 20 x no cost mul- When the horde manages to suc- equal to 20 victory points and the following tiplier for 3 attempts); 15 (In Defiance of cessfully place the silver runestones cor- happens: Loki); 20 (Loss of Status) rectly in their respective depressions, Points Earned: -75 (Category F Treasure) they slowly sink into the face of the Closer Inspection: pedestal until they are flush with its sur- When the attempts of the heroes BEOWULF (10TH CENT.): OLD ENGLISH AND face. The glow around the treasure fades to properly place the runestones of the INTERLINEAR TRANSLATION and it gradually descends to rest on the gods fail, the three silver stones abruptly Ed. E. V. K. Dobbie. Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records 4. New pedestal. The horde is now free to take vanish from their hands. The runes on York, 1953; Trans. by Francis B. Gummere. Harvard Classics. Vol. 49. Collier, 1910 the treasure of the gods! Once this divine the walls of the antechamber no longer treasure is in your grubby Viking paws, activate when the heroes place their Source: British Library MS Cotton Vitellius A. xv: elec- tronic transcription of ms: Cameron A4.1 in the Dictionary you all know that honor and glory surely hands on them, and they have no of Old English corpus; electronic transcription of transla- await your return to the village of your recourse but to return to their endless tion: Robin Katsuya-Corbet (Internet Wiretap edition); com- birth. Of course, more loot undoubtedly wandering in the Underground, attempt- piler: Ian Lancashire, Rep. Criticism On-line (1996). lies hidden in the uncharted caverns of ing to redeem themselves for their obvi- Edited by members of the Department of English at the the Underground. Decisions, decisions … ous lack of Viking virtue. University of Toronto from 1912 to 1996. http://www.library.utoronto.ca/utel/rp/poems/

ENCOUNTER COST TABLE Points Points Item Spent Item Earned Aura of Gods Difficulty 20 Increase to Runes roll -10 Endurance Test 60 Freestanding Runes roll -8 Divine goop recurring Dam 35 Shrine to Tyr -0 Divine goop armor-ignoring 10 Freestanding realize Tyr’s shrine -10 Wendol’s Weird Magic 30 Tyr’s runestone as petty silver -9 Combat Opponent 0 Victory points for Tyr’s test -20 ID bird’s poem 20 Unlimited Healing Opportunity -30 Recite Beowulf correctly 40 Shrine to Thor -25 ID & recitation simultaneous 15 Freestanding realize Thor’s shrine -10 Countdown 20 Freestanding “It’s Unnatural!” -10 In Defiance of Loki 15 Thor’s runestone as petty silver -9 Loss of status 20 Shrine to Odin -20 Freestanding realize Odin’s shrine -10 Recognize raven -10 Odin’s runestone as petty silver -9 Victory points for Odin’s test -20 Category F treasure -75

Total Spent: 295 Total Earned: -295 Balance: 0